Friday, November 19, 2010

Friday Hangover: Georgia State

63-7. The touchdown the Panthers scored was on a kickoff return, but the Tide's final tally could have been larger since Georgia State (a start-up program) played Alabama to help fund their athletic department. Nevertheless, it was a beat-down, a wood-shedding.

After watching the game last night, there are a few aspects to ponder about the Tide's performance and the prospects of playing Auburn on Friday, November 26. Like Isbell sings in "Outfit," "I'll lay it out real nice and slow."

Alabama is a top twenty team, and they have a lot of young talent. Georgia State is not a good team, and they have young talent.

Alabama, for whatever reason, is still having difficulty running between the tackles.

Mark Ingram is still held back, speed-wise and cut-wise, by his left knee. The good guys need Richardson healthy for the Iron Bowl.

There was reasoned anticipation that Eddie Lacy would become the third back in the rotation, which is the role Upchurch held last year, and he was a nice change of pace to the Ingram Richardson duo. But the 3rd back role and Lacy's role in the offense never materialized.

Julio Jones, when healthy, has to be the best all-around wide receiver in the country and easily the best blocking WR around.

Good luck to McElroy on his interview to become a Rhodes Scholar tomorrow in Birmingham. I hope he gets that honor, and I hope his smarts and athletic ability help us beat the Tigers Friday.

Though Preston Dial has played well this year, the Tide still doesn't have a consistent threat at tight end in the passing game.

The team misses Rolando McClain, Marquis Johnson, Javier Arenas, and Kareem Jackson mightily because of their athletic prowess and leadership.

The Tide is strong at home, but an excellent defensive game plan and solid execution of that game plan is necessary to beat the Tigers. Just containing Newton will be a hard enough task, however.

Since the Nasty family will be in Iowa and Virg's desktop computer is antiquated, don't expect a post mortem of the Iron Bowl to be up on Saturday. I'll get it out late Sunday maybe.

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